1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? 4, ages 8, 7, 5.5, 6 months
2. How long have you been married? 14 years
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? all my life ~ there was a short period in Omaha/Council Bluffs too.
4. Do you have family around here? yes, both sides and it is a blessing!
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier? really?? just one? dishwasher that loads and unloads its self.
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? I don't know...I am a little behind since Stella has arrived.
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? developing program/cirriculum for Methodist College.
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? Dale Chihuly glass at the Bellagio
9. What are your hidden talents? well, I can pick up large objects with my feet...like grapefruit.
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? She did what she could.....
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? a Gucci purse at the thrift store for $3! ( shallow I know but what a steal!!)
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? why aren't sweats on this list?? I really like to dress up..but I will say tshirt and jeans.
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? my wonderful husband of course!
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why? I would love to be a pioneer (or Amish), live off the land, cook, sell my eggs to the mercantile...Just like Ma Ingalls.
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? hmm... medication for sure
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? Country...lake up north or vast openness in Montana
17. What is a project you are working on now? several quilts...
18. What is the messiest room in your house? depends on the day...
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer ? housekeeper
20. Dream job? lunch lady!!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday's Fit Focus with Jacque Butler
Who am I??
I am really excited to be writing a weekly article for all of you MOPS. What a great community! But you may be wondering who I am, and why the MOPS powers-that-be asked me to spout off each week about healthy living. Here’s a synopsis of my background, and then the interesting stuff will start next week.
My degree is in Human Growth & Development and my pre-kids career was in healthcare, first as a child life specialist, and later as a patient relations director in a Houston hospital. During that time, I discovered fitness and became certified to teach group fitness. I had my first baby in 2003, and when she was 9 months old, I purchased a fitness franchise in Houston called StrollerFit and earned a specialty certification in pre- and post-natal exercise. In 2006 I had baby number two, and then in 2007, I purchased a second StrollerFit franchise in Cypress, a suburb of Houston. In 2008, I trained for and competed in a natural figure competition, and placed second. This is when I really started learning more about nutrition, and became inspired to study for my personal training certification. After moving to Iowa and having baby number three in 2009, I became a certified personal fitness trainer and started JB Fitness, a personal training studio which also offers group fitness and nutrition guidance.
I have a passion for fitness and healthy living, but it hasn’t always been this way. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I was a healthy, active kid who was also overweight. You know the chubby kid on stage at the dance recital? That was me, and I was very aware of it. While my parents struggled to get my brother to eat at meal time, they were gently reminding me that I didn’t “need to eat it just because it’s there.” In high school, I was athletic and that helped me maintain a healthy weight. Then in college, I gained a significant amount of weight from inactivity and a poor diet. After graduating, I pulled it together, started exercising daily and watching my food, and lost about 45 pounds. That’s when I became a group fitness instructor.
Each of the three times I’ve been pregnant, I’ve gained significant weight: 62, 48, and 67 pounds, respectively. I was especially active during the middle pregnancy, teaching fitness classes. In fact, I taught a class the day Allegra was born, and still I gained 48 pounds. After each pregnancy, I took the weight off through hard work and conscientious nutrition.
I know what it means to struggle to lose weight. I know how difficult it can be to make the right choice nutritionally. I know what it means to be busy, and have to carve out time to exercise. But I’m here to tell you this: It’s worth it. I’ve been very overweight—200+ pounds—and I’ve been quite thin—size 2—and everything in between. Being a healthy weight and in good physical condition beats eating junk food any day. There is no comparison.
But you have to be honest with yourself. You can’t make excuses. You have to decide this is how it’s going to be. If you can’t muster the power to do it for yourself, do it for your kids. We are all mothers of young children. They watch what we do and what we eat, and they emulate us. They think we’re AWESOME, and they want to be like us. (Now, at least!) If you show them what living a healthy lifestyle looks like, the chances of them living one is better. There is no better gift you can give your children. It’s the gift of longevity.
I am really excited to be writing a weekly article for all of you MOPS. What a great community! But you may be wondering who I am, and why the MOPS powers-that-be asked me to spout off each week about healthy living. Here’s a synopsis of my background, and then the interesting stuff will start next week.
My degree is in Human Growth & Development and my pre-kids career was in healthcare, first as a child life specialist, and later as a patient relations director in a Houston hospital. During that time, I discovered fitness and became certified to teach group fitness. I had my first baby in 2003, and when she was 9 months old, I purchased a fitness franchise in Houston called StrollerFit and earned a specialty certification in pre- and post-natal exercise. In 2006 I had baby number two, and then in 2007, I purchased a second StrollerFit franchise in Cypress, a suburb of Houston. In 2008, I trained for and competed in a natural figure competition, and placed second. This is when I really started learning more about nutrition, and became inspired to study for my personal training certification. After moving to Iowa and having baby number three in 2009, I became a certified personal fitness trainer and started JB Fitness, a personal training studio which also offers group fitness and nutrition guidance.
I have a passion for fitness and healthy living, but it hasn’t always been this way. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I was a healthy, active kid who was also overweight. You know the chubby kid on stage at the dance recital? That was me, and I was very aware of it. While my parents struggled to get my brother to eat at meal time, they were gently reminding me that I didn’t “need to eat it just because it’s there.” In high school, I was athletic and that helped me maintain a healthy weight. Then in college, I gained a significant amount of weight from inactivity and a poor diet. After graduating, I pulled it together, started exercising daily and watching my food, and lost about 45 pounds. That’s when I became a group fitness instructor.
Each of the three times I’ve been pregnant, I’ve gained significant weight: 62, 48, and 67 pounds, respectively. I was especially active during the middle pregnancy, teaching fitness classes. In fact, I taught a class the day Allegra was born, and still I gained 48 pounds. After each pregnancy, I took the weight off through hard work and conscientious nutrition.
I know what it means to struggle to lose weight. I know how difficult it can be to make the right choice nutritionally. I know what it means to be busy, and have to carve out time to exercise. But I’m here to tell you this: It’s worth it. I’ve been very overweight—200+ pounds—and I’ve been quite thin—size 2—and everything in between. Being a healthy weight and in good physical condition beats eating junk food any day. There is no comparison.
But you have to be honest with yourself. You can’t make excuses. You have to decide this is how it’s going to be. If you can’t muster the power to do it for yourself, do it for your kids. We are all mothers of young children. They watch what we do and what we eat, and they emulate us. They think we’re AWESOME, and they want to be like us. (Now, at least!) If you show them what living a healthy lifestyle looks like, the chances of them living one is better. There is no better gift you can give your children. It’s the gift of longevity.
Jacque Butler is the owner of JB Fitness in Glenwood, Iowa. www.jbfitnessiowa.com For tips on fitness & nutrition, you can follow JB Fitness on Facebook.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Famous Mom Sayings...
Have you heard yourself saying any of these things? Ever get any of them said to you as a child?Check out the rest of the list here.
Don't ask me WHY. The answer is NO.
Don't cross your eyes or they'll freeze that way.
Don't EVER let me catch you doing that again!
Don't cross your eyes or they'll freeze that way.
Don't EVER let me catch you doing that again!
What did I say the FIRST time?
You just ate an hour ago!
You will ALWAYS be my baby.
You're going to put your eye out with that thing!
You're going to put your eye out with that thing!
You're the oldest. You should know better.
You kids are trying to drive me crazy!
Who taught you THAT?
It's no use crying over spilt milk.
I've had it up to here with you.
Leave your sister (brother) alone!
I've had it up to here with you.
Leave your sister (brother) alone!
I don't care who started it, I said stop!
How do you know you don't like it if you haven't tasted it?
I hope someday you have children just like you.
Get to Know Your Steering Team- Amber- Publicity
1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? Brock is 5 1/2- and he sure gets mad if I forget the 1/2!
2. How long have you been married? 7 Years this August
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? 7 1/2 years...but lived here when I was younger
4. Do you have family around here? all of my family and most of Matt's are here.
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier? A touch button household vacuum. I would like something that automatically vacuums the floors and furniture. I would push it every 15 minutes with all of the dog and cat hair we have floating around!
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? I will Carry You by Angie Smith and The Blind Side or The Lovely Bones.
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? My college degree...even though it's not paid for.
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? A cd with a beautiful voice! Or the internet... what a genius who invented that!
9. What are your hidden talents? um....cake decorating? crafty? I don't really see myself as talented.
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? "Enjoy the little moments...B will be grown before I know it" I try to savor all of the little things he says and does... I know he will never again be this way again! I'm really going to have a hard time with him being a big kindergartner this fall. (and I say this fall like it is a long ways a way...I mean in about 20 days!)
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? My camera... I absolutly LOVE the pictures I have to look back on.
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? Jeans and tshirts- all the way! and if you could make them capris with flip flops...even better!
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? My BFF Kimmy...we were in NYC a short time together and didn't have nearly enough time to do everything we wanted. She is in CO so I still don't see her often.
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why?
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? As nice as the spa vacation would be...I would say it is only temporary- so I'm gonna go with the Prozac, just make mine Citalopram ;)
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? City...I love having so much to do around me. The hustle and bustle is exciting. NYC baby!
17. What is a project you are working on now? I am always working on trying to get my pictures from the computer printed out. I take pictures nearly every day so it is a big job to keep them updated in our albums. I also have lots that I want to get ready for a garage sale.
18. What is the messiest room in your house? Usually the kitchen because so much stuff gets piled up when you walk in the door on the table or counters.
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer? Daily housekeeper, hands down. But... I do hate to cook.....hhhmmmmm.
20. Dream job? I would love to be a wedding coordinator!
2. How long have you been married? 7 Years this August
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? 7 1/2 years...but lived here when I was younger
4. Do you have family around here? all of my family and most of Matt's are here.
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier? A touch button household vacuum. I would like something that automatically vacuums the floors and furniture. I would push it every 15 minutes with all of the dog and cat hair we have floating around!
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? I will Carry You by Angie Smith and The Blind Side or The Lovely Bones.
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? My college degree...even though it's not paid for.
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? A cd with a beautiful voice! Or the internet... what a genius who invented that!
9. What are your hidden talents? um....cake decorating? crafty? I don't really see myself as talented.
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? "Enjoy the little moments...B will be grown before I know it" I try to savor all of the little things he says and does... I know he will never again be this way again! I'm really going to have a hard time with him being a big kindergartner this fall. (and I say this fall like it is a long ways a way...I mean in about 20 days!)
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? My camera... I absolutly LOVE the pictures I have to look back on.
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? Jeans and tshirts- all the way! and if you could make them capris with flip flops...even better!
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? My BFF Kimmy...we were in NYC a short time together and didn't have nearly enough time to do everything we wanted. She is in CO so I still don't see her often.
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why?
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? As nice as the spa vacation would be...I would say it is only temporary- so I'm gonna go with the Prozac, just make mine Citalopram ;)
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? City...I love having so much to do around me. The hustle and bustle is exciting. NYC baby!
17. What is a project you are working on now? I am always working on trying to get my pictures from the computer printed out. I take pictures nearly every day so it is a big job to keep them updated in our albums. I also have lots that I want to get ready for a garage sale.
18. What is the messiest room in your house? Usually the kitchen because so much stuff gets piled up when you walk in the door on the table or counters.
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer? Daily housekeeper, hands down. But... I do hate to cook.....hhhmmmmm.
20. Dream job? I would love to be a wedding coordinator!
Get to Know Your Steering Team- Discussion Groups- Melissa
1. How many children do you have and what are their ages? 1 and he is 3
2. How long have you been married? working on a divorce
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? 8 years
4. Do you have family around here? sister in CB
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier? some computer device that would read your email to you
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? My Sisters Keeper
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? standing up to my soon to be ex husband saying that Moses and I don't deserve to be treated the way he was treating us
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? a beautiful garden with water features
9. What are your hidden talents? I like to read, like to talk on the phone, prayer warrior
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? ???
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? My bed frame it was free and it is real wood
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? jeans and a t-shirt is there any other clothes out there
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? my Dad (we are very close) he has been there once
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why? to College so that I didn't marry my ex husbands. Divorce is so hard and emotional
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? Spa vacation for sure
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? Country ... in the napa valley
17. What is a project you are working on now? de-cluttering my house
18. What is the messiest room in your house? right now, the junk room
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer? nanny to help with Moses I believe it takes a village to raise a well balanced child
20. Dream job? teach nursing
2. How long have you been married? working on a divorce
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? 8 years
4. Do you have family around here? sister in CB
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier? some computer device that would read your email to you
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? My Sisters Keeper
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? standing up to my soon to be ex husband saying that Moses and I don't deserve to be treated the way he was treating us
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? a beautiful garden with water features
9. What are your hidden talents? I like to read, like to talk on the phone, prayer warrior
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? ???
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? My bed frame it was free and it is real wood
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? jeans and a t-shirt is there any other clothes out there
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? my Dad (we are very close) he has been there once
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why? to College so that I didn't marry my ex husbands. Divorce is so hard and emotional
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? Spa vacation for sure
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? Country ... in the napa valley
17. What is a project you are working on now? de-cluttering my house
18. What is the messiest room in your house? right now, the junk room
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer? nanny to help with Moses I believe it takes a village to raise a well balanced child
20. Dream job? teach nursing
Get to Know Your Steering Team- Co-Coordinator Christie
1. How many children do you have and what are their ages?
3 kids 6,4,3
2. How long have you been married? 9 years
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? 4 years
4. Do you have family around here? Paul's family lives in Omaha area
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier?
Something that would fold the clothes and put them away
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? The Blindside (I'm a sucker for happy sports movies)
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? Have my masters degree.
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? the computer
9. What are your hidden talents? If I knew what they were they wouldn't be hidden.
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? When the kids were little, everyone said nap when they nap. I used to take afternoon naps with them.
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? my laptop
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? jeans and t shirt
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? My Mom-would love to spoil her since she is always concerned with everyone else.
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why? old west days, would like to pop in and see how life was then. Don't want to stay-couldn't handle the dust.
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? hit man
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? country. I would love to own a big ranch.
17. What is a project you are working on now? ABC scrapbook for Bryce. Started it a long time ago and still not finished.
18. What is the messiest room in your house? kitchen
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer
20. Dream job? I would love to be a tester for Microsoft. The person who makes sure all of the directions work in their books.
3 kids 6,4,3
2. How long have you been married? 9 years
3. How long have you lived in Glenwood? 4 years
4. Do you have family around here? Paul's family lives in Omaha area
5. What is one invention that would make your life easier?
Something that would fold the clothes and put them away
6. The latest book or movie that made you cry? The Blindside (I'm a sucker for happy sports movies)
7. Besides being a mother, what accomplishment are you most proud of? Have my masters degree.
8. A creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? the computer
9. What are your hidden talents? If I knew what they were they wouldn't be hidden.
10. The best piece of advice you actually followed? When the kids were little, everyone said nap when they nap. I used to take afternoon naps with them.
11. The best thing you ever bought or borrowed? my laptop
12. Do you feel best in jeans & tshirts or skirt and blouse? jeans and t shirt
13. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be? My Mom-would love to spoil her since she is always concerned with everyone else.
14. Time Travel: where, when, and why? old west days, would like to pop in and see how life was then. Don't want to stay-couldn't handle the dust.
15. Stress Management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac? hit man
16. Environment of choice: city or country and where on the map? country. I would love to own a big ranch.
17. What is a project you are working on now? ABC scrapbook for Bryce. Started it a long time ago and still not finished.
18. What is the messiest room in your house? kitchen
19. Which household helper do you want most: cook, housekeeper, nanny, personal trainer
20. Dream job? I would love to be a tester for Microsoft. The person who makes sure all of the directions work in their books.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
MOPS Family Picnic
Join in the fun at the MOPS Family Picnic on August 7th at 5 PM at the Glenwood Lake Park.Bring your own picnic meal for your family and drinks and snacks will be provided.
There will be games for the kids so please have them wear clothes/ swim wear that they can get wet in and a towel.
Hope to see you there! Please contact Roni to RSVP or with any questions.
Aug 7 5 PM
Swim Party!
Calling MOPS Moms & Kids!!!
Join us at Hickory Ridge Pool for a swim party on July 28 at 11:30.
Bring lunch and drinks to eat. There is a microwave and refrigerator.
Reply to Christie if you plan on going or if you have questions.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Head on out to the Davies!
2010 Davies Amphitheater Summer 2010 Schedule!
All Shows begin at 7:00 pm(unless otherwish indicated
July 24 - Saturday USAF Night Wing
July 31 - Saturday Rock the Roof Roadshow(starting time TBA)
August 8 - Sunday Streetside
August 13 - Friday Tommy K Band
August 14 - Saturday Sing, Sing,Swing
August 21 - Saturday Lonny LynnOrchestra
August 27 - Friday USAF BrassIn Blue
August 28 - Saturday Generations ofRock 'N' Roll
August 29 - Sunday Glenwood Comm.Band
In the event of inclement weather, show will be moved to the Glenwood High School auditorium.
For more information visithttp://glenwoodnet.com/davies/
All Shows begin at 7:00 pm(unless otherwish indicated
July 24 - Saturday USAF Night Wing
July 31 - Saturday Rock the Roof Roadshow(starting time TBA)
August 8 - Sunday Streetside
August 13 - Friday Tommy K Band
August 14 - Saturday Sing, Sing,Swing
August 21 - Saturday Lonny LynnOrchestra
August 27 - Friday USAF BrassIn Blue
August 28 - Saturday Generations ofRock 'N' Roll
August 29 - Sunday Glenwood Comm.Band
In the event of inclement weather, show will be moved to the Glenwood High School auditorium.
For more information visithttp://glenwoodnet.com/davies/
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
22 Potty Training Tips
22 Potty Training Tips For Modern Moms
by Tiffany Bird of Simply Modern Mom
I have to admit. Potty training has been the hardest thing I’ve done as a mother thus far. It has really tested my patience and my ability to stay calm during difficult situations. It has brought many embarrassing moments and nerve wrecking moments. And many moments where I wondered, Why am I doing this? Diapers are easier to change than cleaning up after poop and pee in carpet.
My Potty Training Experience
My oldest daughter, Kaye, was almost 2 when she started to show signs of readiness of potty training. In fact, the first day I pulled out the potty seat, she pooped in it the first time. Then peed in it the second time. All in the same day. But I held off potty training because we were leaving for a trip to Taiwan.
After our trip to Taiwan, I decided I wanted to transition Kaye into sleeping in a big girl bed before potty training her. I was pregnant with our second and wanted to use the crib for the baby.
Once Kaye turned 2, she still showed signs of readiness of potty training, but took no interest in it. My motivation was I wanted to get her out of diapers before the new baby came. I didn’t want to do potty training while nursing a little one. Plus, it was much cheaper to purchase diapers for one child instead of two. So I went with it. It wasn’t too bad. She was fully potty trained in about 2 weeks.
by Tiffany Bird of Simply Modern Mom
I have to admit. Potty training has been the hardest thing I’ve done as a mother thus far. It has really tested my patience and my ability to stay calm during difficult situations. It has brought many embarrassing moments and nerve wrecking moments. And many moments where I wondered, Why am I doing this? Diapers are easier to change than cleaning up after poop and pee in carpet.
My Potty Training Experience
My oldest daughter, Kaye, was almost 2 when she started to show signs of readiness of potty training. In fact, the first day I pulled out the potty seat, she pooped in it the first time. Then peed in it the second time. All in the same day. But I held off potty training because we were leaving for a trip to Taiwan.
After our trip to Taiwan, I decided I wanted to transition Kaye into sleeping in a big girl bed before potty training her. I was pregnant with our second and wanted to use the crib for the baby.
Once Kaye turned 2, she still showed signs of readiness of potty training, but took no interest in it. My motivation was I wanted to get her out of diapers before the new baby came. I didn’t want to do potty training while nursing a little one. Plus, it was much cheaper to purchase diapers for one child instead of two. So I went with it. It wasn’t too bad. She was fully potty trained in about 2 weeks.
22 Potty Training Tips
If you have read all the ready signs of potty training, looked into it a bit and decided to give it a go, here are a few tips that might help you in this arduous task. Remember that each child is different. What worked with your friend’s child may not work with yours. What worked with your first child may not work with the second or third. So read up and do what will work best for your child.
1. Toilet Training in Less Than A Day. This was the book that answered all my questions. It told me exactly how my child was going to react to potty training and the different tactics they will use when faced with this situation. Then it had all the answers and responses as to what I needed to do as a parent. It’s a short and fast read. Well worth it.
2. Wait it out. I have friends who waited until their child told them they were ready. And when they did, it was much easier to have the child be the one who initiated it.
3. Be prepared to devote at least 1 whole day without distractions to it. Clear your calendar. Forget about your emails. Ask someone to watch your older kids, if necessary. Devote an entire day or two to this and really get serious about it. Potty training is one of those moments where you need to give your child uninterrupted attention. Once they get the hang of it and know what is going on, then get back into regular routine.
4. Be consistent. At this age, they are testing you. They want to know if you are in on this. Because if you are totally into this, and you convince them you are, then they’ll get with the program. And to do that, you have to be consistent. Show them that this is not just something temporary. Or something that you will give up if it doesn’t work the first few days or even weeks. If you give up, they will too.
5. Involve them. Take them to the store to pick out their new underwear. Have them pick out a potty seat. Ask them what treats or reward they would like. Have them set a goal to work toward.
6. Potties vs. training seats. We had both. Potties are nice because they are kid size. They don’t need a step to get on it. The down side is you have to clean it. Sure it is suggested that you have the child take the poop/pee container and dump it in the toilet. But they don’t actually clean it afterwards. Training seats are nice because they get your child used to going to the toilet in the first place. Although it can be tricky for your child to get on a step, pull down pants and turn around to sit on the potty alone without falling. It will take some getting used to.
7. The second day will be the hardest. The first day, they are excited to get with the program. The second day, they have accidents on purpose. The second day will make or break you. Though not all moms will experience this, lucky you if you don’t.
8. Balance reminders with trust. In the beginning, you will remind them constantly to go potty, and sometimes taking them to the potty even if they don’t need to go. Then as they start to get a hang out it, back off the reminders. Make them less frequent. That was hard for me because by that time, I was tired of dealing with accidents. But I noticed, the more I backed off on reminders, the more willing she would go on her own. I would only ask her if she needed to go potty when I could tell she was holding it.
9. Throw a party. Get them excited about it. I did it on the first day to introduce Kaye to potty training. Since she was into princesses at that time, it was a pink princess potty party. I decorated the living room with little underwear and had lots of pink drinks around (juice, strawberry PediaSure or strawberry milk). I made a special pink breakfast. Her grandma bought her a potty doll. We had a collection of children potty books. Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day is a book with themes, ideas and activities for potty parties. This book is different from the one mentioned above.
9. Throw a party. Get them excited about it. I did it on the first day to introduce Kaye to potty training. Since she was into princesses at that time, it was a pink princess potty party. I decorated the living room with little underwear and had lots of pink drinks around (juice, strawberry PediaSure or strawberry milk). I made a special pink breakfast. Her grandma bought her a potty doll. We had a collection of children potty books. Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day is a book with themes, ideas and activities for potty parties. This book is different from the one mentioned above.
10. Don’t yell. This will be a hard one, especially when you are dealing the 5th or 6th accident of the day and you are at wit’s end. But if you yell, they will resist or feel being punished.
11. Make them accountable. When they have an accident, have them clean it up. Have them undress themselves and put away the dirty clothes. Have them put on new clothes with some assistance if necessary. The cleaning part. They won’t get it as clean as you. But have them clean what they can and you do the deep scrubbing of the carpet. If they are accountable for their mess each time they make one, they will learn that they don’t want to make messes anymore.
12. Be prepared to sit there with them for a long time. They will sit on the toilet and tell you they don’t need to go. But as soon as you let them off, they hide in a corner and let it go. So next time you see them holding it, put them on the potty and sit there with them. I sat on the floor while Kaye was on the potty. We sang songs, I told her stories, we read books, she flipped through children magazines or catalogs. Whatever it took for her to sit there until she went.
13. Find their motivator. What motivates your child? Positive attitude, support and encouragement? Or nagging, threats and punishments? Motivation can come from outside sources, too. Perhaps they love cars, princesses or dinosaurs. Maybe they have always wanted to go to Built-A-Bear and make a doll.
14. Make it come alive. When Kaye reverted after the new baby was born, we purchased a set of little Disney Princess figurines. If she went a few days without an accident, a princess will show up on her pillow before bedtime with a personal note. The note encouraged her and praised her for her success. And once in a while brought up some pointers for things she needed to work on. It was better coming from a “princess” than mom.
15. Rewards can come in many forms. There are instant rewards and long-term rewards. Make the instant rewards small. Candy, stickers, a small toy and lots of praise. I wasn’t too keen of candy rewards because I, personally, don’t give my children lots of sugar. That’s just me. So I went all out on the stickers. Make the long-term reward a little more meaningful. A trip to the museum, a sleepover at grandma’s house, a bigger toy they have been eyeing or something else they really want or would like.
16. Celebrate with others. When they are successful, make them feel proud of their success. Call dad at work. Call grandma in another state. Have them tell of their achievements. It provides positive encouragements.
17. Potty Power. I admit. It was a cheesy movie. But kids love it. I used this as a reward sometimes because Kaye enjoyed the movie so much. She wanted to watch it all the time.
18. They are smarter than you think. Haven’t we heard this before? But really. Unless you are potty training at 1 years old or your child has special circumstances or disabilities, they should be able to grasp the concept. I know I thought to myself many times, Does she really understand what I am doing here? Does she know that it is embarrassing to pee on yourself?
19. Don’t travel. If you are traveling or moving shortly before or during potty training, you are sabotaging yourself and your child. Stay at home and potty train.
20. Drop everything and go. That will be one of the hardest concepts for the child to comprehend. They are used to going while playing. Now they have to stop what they are doing to go? No way! Teaching them this concept takes time and patience. Show them that the quicker they go, the sooner they can get back to playing. Pause the movie if you have to.
21. Public bathrooms may frighten them. Be patient. Kaye was frightened by public bathrooms. She didn’t like all the noise, the size of everything, the loud flushing and the fans and hand dryers. I would bring her into a stall, allowed her to get acquainted to this new environment and waited until she was ready. There were times she would try to convince me she didn’t need to go. So I had special rewards or treats in the diaper bag for such occasions.
22. Put extra clothes in the car. You will most likely have a set of extra clothing and underwear in the diaper bag or your purse. But also keep an extra set in the car. You never know how long you will be out and about. Sometimes they might go through both sets in one trip. Or you might forget that you used the set in the diaper bag last time and forgot to refill it.
» Tell me… What are your potty training tips? Share your secrets with us at Simply Modern Mom.
Those of you asking me specific questions about potty training, I will answer your questions on Wednesday. Then on Thursday I have a printable potty training chart just for you.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Fun for the Whole Family- This Weekend
July 17- 18 9 AM- 5 PMTake a fun-filled nostalgic trip back to the era of passenger travel, when riding by rail was king. Join in this community-wide celebration of our railroad heritage while visiting some of the best attractions Omaha and Council Bluffs have to offer. A $10 family pass provides admission to all five locations and transportation between locations.
Lauritzen Gardens
The Durham Museum
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
The Historic General Dodge House
RailsWest Railroad Museum
Operation Organization
Operation Organization - taken from Moms of Faith
Can you barely find your kitchen counter under the stack of bills and magazines that pour in through the mail every day? If this sounds familiar than it is time to set up operation organize. Being organized is key to my sanity. As a single mom who takes care of all the cleaning, bills, grocery shopping and finances, I found early on that being organized would not only make my life easier, it would give me more time to spend with my daughter and do the things that matter most. Here are a few essential organizing tips.
Kitchen Organizing
Keep the kitchen tidy by not allowing mail to build up on counters. Purchase a basket or a three bin organizer you can hang on the wall. Label each bin. For example, label the first bin bills, the second, coupons, the third in could be appointments or to do lists, this could include permission slips, invitations, announcements, etc. A cork board is also a great way to post important reminders for the day. Don’t forget to hang your keys somewhere that you won’t forget them
The space under the sink can get messy if you keep cleaning products there. Find some inexpensive organizing bins. I found long oval tin containers at my local drug store for about $1.00-$1.50 and they hold my cleaning supplies, sponges, and trash bags perfectly.
Living Room Organizing
If the living room is your family’s gathering space it is most likely the most cluttered room of the house. If you read magazines or books, and watch movies there, make sure you have an appropriate place to put everything once your family is finished using it. Make sure you have enough magazine and bookshelves. A big basket or CD holder works great for DVDs.
Mudroom or Entry Organizing
You know the drill, the coats get thrown on the floor, the shoes are piled up, and wet umbrellas are lying around. Your entryway sets the tone for your home, it should be welcoming and clean. If you don’t have a hall closet, hang a rack that you could hang coats and hats on or purchase a coat rack. Get an old rain boot and put your umbrellas in it. A bench that opens up is another great way to utilize storage space.
Bedroom Organizing
If your closet is filled with shoes and your drawers are overflowing then it is time to take inventory and rearrange. First sort through your clothes, give away anything you aren’t going to wear. Then sort into seasons, get all your winter clothes and place them in plastic containers or even suitcases and store them in the attic, basement, or anywhere you have room. Don’t forget to label them by season. A shoe rack can be an inexpensive investment that you can either hang in your closet or on your door.
A laundry hamper for each person’s bedroom will also help to eliminate clothes all over the floor. Then make each family member responsible for bringing their own hamper to the laundry room on laundry day.
Linen Closet Organizing
A great space saver for towels is rolling and stacking them. I use wicker baskets to store my hair dryer, brushes, combs, etc. If I have extra lotions, perfume, or toothpaste, I place them in plastic storage containers that are the size of a shoebox and stack them.
Office Organizing
It is essential to keep your finances in order. When bills are scattered you are in danger of missing or making a late payment. In the current economic climate it is important that we stay on top of our finances. I suggest placing your bills in a binder with various folders. Label the folders according to your bills, for example, credit cards, donations, utilities, taxes, mortgage, car payments, education, credit reports, etc.
You can also have two separate bins, one for bills that you have to pay immediately, or that you want to pay within the next week or two, and the other bin for bills you don’t have to pay until later. Get in the habit of opening your mail on the day it arrives and filing it in the appropriate place.
There are so many ways to simplify your life. The idea is to find creative ways to organize that fit your lifestyle. So get those creative juices flowing and get organized. Become the captain of your ship and get everyone aboard.
Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
Can you barely find your kitchen counter under the stack of bills and magazines that pour in through the mail every day? If this sounds familiar than it is time to set up operation organize. Being organized is key to my sanity. As a single mom who takes care of all the cleaning, bills, grocery shopping and finances, I found early on that being organized would not only make my life easier, it would give me more time to spend with my daughter and do the things that matter most. Here are a few essential organizing tips.
Kitchen Organizing
Keep the kitchen tidy by not allowing mail to build up on counters. Purchase a basket or a three bin organizer you can hang on the wall. Label each bin. For example, label the first bin bills, the second, coupons, the third in could be appointments or to do lists, this could include permission slips, invitations, announcements, etc. A cork board is also a great way to post important reminders for the day. Don’t forget to hang your keys somewhere that you won’t forget them
The space under the sink can get messy if you keep cleaning products there. Find some inexpensive organizing bins. I found long oval tin containers at my local drug store for about $1.00-$1.50 and they hold my cleaning supplies, sponges, and trash bags perfectly.
Living Room Organizing
If the living room is your family’s gathering space it is most likely the most cluttered room of the house. If you read magazines or books, and watch movies there, make sure you have an appropriate place to put everything once your family is finished using it. Make sure you have enough magazine and bookshelves. A big basket or CD holder works great for DVDs.
Mudroom or Entry Organizing
You know the drill, the coats get thrown on the floor, the shoes are piled up, and wet umbrellas are lying around. Your entryway sets the tone for your home, it should be welcoming and clean. If you don’t have a hall closet, hang a rack that you could hang coats and hats on or purchase a coat rack. Get an old rain boot and put your umbrellas in it. A bench that opens up is another great way to utilize storage space.
Bedroom Organizing
If your closet is filled with shoes and your drawers are overflowing then it is time to take inventory and rearrange. First sort through your clothes, give away anything you aren’t going to wear. Then sort into seasons, get all your winter clothes and place them in plastic containers or even suitcases and store them in the attic, basement, or anywhere you have room. Don’t forget to label them by season. A shoe rack can be an inexpensive investment that you can either hang in your closet or on your door.
A laundry hamper for each person’s bedroom will also help to eliminate clothes all over the floor. Then make each family member responsible for bringing their own hamper to the laundry room on laundry day.
Linen Closet Organizing
A great space saver for towels is rolling and stacking them. I use wicker baskets to store my hair dryer, brushes, combs, etc. If I have extra lotions, perfume, or toothpaste, I place them in plastic storage containers that are the size of a shoebox and stack them.
Office Organizing
It is essential to keep your finances in order. When bills are scattered you are in danger of missing or making a late payment. In the current economic climate it is important that we stay on top of our finances. I suggest placing your bills in a binder with various folders. Label the folders according to your bills, for example, credit cards, donations, utilities, taxes, mortgage, car payments, education, credit reports, etc.
You can also have two separate bins, one for bills that you have to pay immediately, or that you want to pay within the next week or two, and the other bin for bills you don’t have to pay until later. Get in the habit of opening your mail on the day it arrives and filing it in the appropriate place.
There are so many ways to simplify your life. The idea is to find creative ways to organize that fit your lifestyle. So get those creative juices flowing and get organized. Become the captain of your ship and get everyone aboard.
Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Over The Counter Recalls
Deena sent in an email for us to be aware of a recent recall on over the counter meds. For a complete list of medications please check the link below.
http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com/page.jhtml?id=/include/news_july.inc
Theme Book Review & Author Interview
Jennifer from The Toy Box Years had the opportunity to review this years MOPS theme book, Momology- A Mom's Guide to Shaping Great Kids and to interview the author Shelly Radic.
Momology will be available during our MOPS year at the meetings.
Summary:
Your go-to book for successful mothering. Mothering is part art, part science, and always a work in progress! Backed by more than thirty years of research-based ministry at MOPS Internationsal, Momology is designed to help you be the unique mother God created you to be - because better moms make a better world.
Author Biography:
Shelly Radic is chief of staff at MOPS International, author of The Birthday Book, and a regular contributor to MOPS publications. Her writing is informed by her education, mothering her four children, and twenty years of MOPS experience.
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"Momology" has been selected as the core theme for the 2010 MOPS year and Shelly Radic's book, Momology - A Mom's Guide to Shaping Great Kids, is the theme book. I was very excited to read this book and I was also thrilled to have an opportunity to interview Shelly Radic, who also attends services at the CCC - Aurora.
As moms, we know that mothering is a constant work in progress, constantly changing and shifting as we try new parenting techiques. Momology isn't your typical parenting book - as most parenting books focus on the technique of parenting. This book focuses more on YOU as a MOM and is a great resource book that encourages and guides us, as moms, to be the mothers that God created us to be.
The book is broken down into four core elements:
Core: Looking and examining ourselves on a personal level and knowing who we are as women
Finesse: How we interact and "mother" our children
Circle: How we rely and utilize our support network around us
Grandscape: Knowing God and leaning on Him as we go about our day
The sections are easy to read and sprinkled throughout are real-life anecdotes from moms interviewed throughout the years of research. I liked the reflective questions at the end of each chapter as well as the yellow post-it notes with "mothering" statistics.
This is a great book for both self-reflection or group study. A forum has also been set up at mom-ology.org so that you can connect with other moms and discuss the book as well as "the art of mothering"
I LOVED this book and highly recommend it to every mom I know!
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Interview with author, Shelly Radic
What has your personal experience with MOPS been like?
Rich, long, fun! I’ve formed relationships with so many great moms over almost 20 years in MOPS and I learn something from every one of them. When I first joined MOPS, I gained friendships, tips about raising my own kids and the knowledge that God shaped me uniquely and specifically to mother the children he’d placed in my care. That one statement is foundational to how I mother and gives me hope when mothering is going great and more importantly, when it is not.
Later, as a MOPS volunteer Group and then Field Leader, I extended my circle of mothering friends to include woman from around the world. My kids tease that we can’t go anywhere without meeting another MOPS person. And, they’re right. I also gained new skills as a leader- how to communicate effectively, build a team, motivate others, develop and focus on a vision, accept and learn from failure, be persistent. And so much more.
As a MOPS staffer, I gained even more relationships, both within the MOPS staff and with other ministry leaders. And a greater desire and need to lean on God. Many days I wonder why God has guided me to this specific place. Honestly, I’m a very ordinary mom and leader, a mix of doing it right and still trying to figure it all out. I’m not sure how God does it, but he takes my ordinariness and does the unexpected. That’s both humbling and a whole lot of fun.
How does a parent’s relationship/spirituality affect a mother’s impact on raising her own family (for example, how does my parents’ relationship affect ME as a mother?)
I’m on vacation at the beach with my parents, husband and two of my kids as I write this. Last night, my mom shared how she encouraged my dad to pray more about a difficult situation he’s facing. That’s one small example of my heritage and it does impact how I mother. Guess what I do when I face a difficult situation? I pray and I know my mom is praying, too. If you go into my mom’s bathroom, you’ll find her Bible and devotional book on the counter. Mine sits right next to my bathtub where I’m reminded each morning to dive into God’s Word. At my parent’s 50th Anniversary last year, their church friends pitched in to decorate, make food, organize set up and clean up. They are part of a rich spiritual community. Their friends from work, the neighborhood and relatives from all over spoke of my parent’s faith in God. That’s the kind of influence I want to have on my community. That’s the heritage I am trying to leave for my own children.
How do you suggest moms foster their relationship with God- especially when things get hectic around the house?
Remember God is there with you. You don’t have to go find him. As a young mom, I was often defeated by trying to do big things to develop my relationship with God. It wasn’t until I figured out that multiple small things, throughout the day and week can really add up that I got over that feeling of defeat. Short morning prayers while cuddling in bed with a preschooler, a Bible verse taped next to the kitchen sink to read while doing the dishes, singing to praise music in the car (kiddy lyrics count, too), breathing a petition for a friend in need while on Facebook, all those things add up to a growing relationship with God. And, I’m a big fan of the church nursery. Help your kids learn to love the children’s program at an early age so you can spend longer times with God- worshipping, learning, sharing your questions and experiences with others.
One other thing moms need to work in to the daily routine? Serving others and sharing our faith. One thing I learned from being in MOPS is that this can happen on a park bench, through a meal made for another new mom, or by gathering too-small clothes and sharing them with moms at a shelter. Again, in the season of early mothering, many small things make an eternal difference.
What are some ideas you can offer about engaging children spiritually?
As I mentioned earlier, mom’s (and dad’s) example is important. As I look back, I also think engaging with your children is important. Deuteronomy talks about how we are to daily write spiritual things on our children’s hearts. What does this look like? We prayed together as a family for each other, for our Compassion child, Freddy, for missionary friends, for friends that we’re struggling financially. We prayed at meals and at bedtime. We were also in community with other Christians, hosting small groups, having friends for dinner, singing Christmas carols at a senior center. Other Christians were part of our family life. Studying God’s word together is important, too. We read Bible stories and talked about Bible verses. Intentionally incorporate the spiritual into every aspect of life. That’s where it belongs. I do wish I had been more intentional about one-on-one spiritual mentoring, especially as my kids got older. Faith is unique to each person and in retrospect I can see my kids were dealing with unique faith challenges that I wasn’t addressing with them.
What are some ways women can make sure to nurture their marriage?
Nurturing a relationship with our husband takes time, just like nurturing a relationship with our kids does. Sometimes our marriage relationship gets lost in the midst of nurturing kids. Especially in the hectic early years, you have to find time together. Set aside a few minutes to check in with each other at the beginning and end of each day. I know moms need space, but over time, the "Tag, you’re it" handing off of kids can be hazardous to a healthy marriage. Build kisses, hugs and "I love yous" into your routine in the morning, in the evening, at night and times in between. Develop a relationship with a trusted babysitter so you feel good about spending time away together now and then.
One other thing, listen to and utilize what your husband thinks about raising kids, shaping a family and growing a healthy marriage. Sometimes we moms get so caught up in what we know, we don’t give our husbands a chance to take the lead. We lose out on all the ways God has uniquely shaped and equipped our husbands to love us and our kids.
The opportunity to review this book was provided by Revell - a division of Baker Publishing Group
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Ideas to Make & Do
Water Balloon Yo-Yo
1 small balloon
1 large rubber band
Directions: Cut the rubber band in half. Tie a loop securely on one end of the rubber band. It should be big enough to fit around your finger. Use a garden hose or water faucet to fill the balloon ¼ of the way with water. Blow air into the balloon until it is the size of a tennis ball. Tie the balloon shut. Securely tie the rubber band around theknot on the balloon. Place the rubber band loop around your middle finger and gently throw the balloon toward the ground. When the balloon springs back toward your hand, try to grab it.
1 small balloon
1 large rubber band
Directions: Cut the rubber band in half. Tie a loop securely on one end of the rubber band. It should be big enough to fit around your finger. Use a garden hose or water faucet to fill the balloon ¼ of the way with water. Blow air into the balloon until it is the size of a tennis ball. Tie the balloon shut. Securely tie the rubber band around theknot on the balloon. Place the rubber band loop around your middle finger and gently throw the balloon toward the ground. When the balloon springs back toward your hand, try to grab it.
Super Sidewalk Paint
¼ cup cornstarch
¼ cup cold water
6-8 drops of food coloring
Directions: Mix cornstarch and cold water together in a small plastic bowl. Add food coloring and stir. Repeat this process to creat different colors of Super Sidewalk Paint. Super Sidewalk Paint can easily be washed away with water
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Free Tickets!
I have a 4 pack of tickets to 18 holes of glow golf at the Family Fun Center in Omaha. Email me if interested and they are yours! amberloo22@aol.com
GUMC VBS
Grace United Methodist Church is offering Vacation Bible School next week M-F. Dinner is served at 5 PM and activities are from 5:30- 8:30 PM. VBS is offered to all youth ages 4 through 6th grade.
There is still time to register for VBS High Seas Expedition, July 12-16th. Log onto www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/glenwoodgrace It's free and so much fun!
MOPS Book Club
Our selection for MOPS Book Club is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.
We will be meeting Tuesday, July 27th @ 6:30 – Jennifer Y's house. Jennifer has been in our book club for several months. Her kids are older than MOPS age but anyone is welcome to join in with us. She is one of two non- MOPS members of book club. We welcome you to join in and invite a friend along. Book club meets every other month.
We will be meeting Tuesday, July 27th @ 6:30 – Jennifer Y's house. Jennifer has been in our book club for several months. Her kids are older than MOPS age but anyone is welcome to join in with us. She is one of two non- MOPS members of book club. We welcome you to join in and invite a friend along. Book club meets every other month.
2010- 2011 Theme
In 2010, MOPS invites you to join in the learning process as together we explore Momology: The Art and Science of Mothering.
Mothering is both art and science. It combines all of who we are to shape healthy, resilient kids. Mothering is so complex it requires both sides of our brain – not to mention our hands and feet, eyes and ears, mouth and (sniff, sniff) unfortunately, sometimes even our noses!
There's the scientific side of mothering where we develop a hypothesis based on certain principles, test that hypothesis in real-time, consider the results and decide what parts worked and what parts didn't. We keep refining our hypotheses until we find what works for us.
Intertwined with the scientific, mothering requires an artistry that shades with our personality, colors with our unique gifts, and blends past and current experiences.
Intertwined with the scientific, mothering requires an artistry that shades with our personality, colors with our unique gifts, and blends past and current experiences.
MOPS International has identified four essential elements for successful outcomes with our kids. Core is about knowing and growing ourselves. Understanding and working with our unique temperament, experiences, and emotions in a way that develops resilience. Research clearly shows that a mom with a strong, resilient core is more likely to raise a child with a strong, resilient core.
Finesse is about honing practical mothering skills—intentionally carrying out our daily responsibilities in ways that encourage growth and resilience in our kids.
Circle is about building relationships with neighbors, care-givers, extended family and, most importantly, with our husbands or for single moms, with a parenting partner.
Grandscape is about engaging with God and his unique purpose for our lives. Both secular and Christian research identifies faith in God as an essential element for successful mothering.
Through Momology, as we explore together, we'll be guided by an all-knowing, all-powerful, always-present God.
Our theme verse for the year is: Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:10)
Anywhere we go, God sees, knows, and guides. So we can lead - and love - knowing God will get us through all the hard spots, all our decisions, all our roles, all our times we can't hold open our eyelids and the times we're bursting with joy. God's hand guides us as we guide our children. As we study Momology together to become better moms making a better world.
Sports Sign Ups
***Soccer Sign-ups
Glenwood Soccer sign-up dates are July 6 from 6-8 pm and July 10th 10-2 at the Library. You can also mail your form. Check out their website: glenwoodsoccerclub.com
Deadline is July 12
Deadline for Fall Sports at the Y is July 17. metroymca.org
Glenwood Soccer sign-up dates are July 6 from 6-8 pm and July 10th 10-2 at the Library. You can also mail your form. Check out their website: glenwoodsoccerclub.com
Deadline is July 12
Deadline for Fall Sports at the Y is July 17. metroymca.org
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Summer Movie Programs
AMC EntertainmentKids Summer Movie Camp
Oakview Plaza 24
Council Bluffs 16
Council Bluffs 16
Summer Movie Camp will be offered at 10 a.m. each Tuesday morning this summer at participating theatres, from June 15 through August 10. At only $1 admission, it’s an affordable option for summer fun for families and groups. All admission and concession proceeds will benefit two AMC charities, Variety - The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute. We will also offer KidsPack™ concession combos for $4 – more than 30% off the regular price.
July 13 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
July 20 Hotel for Dogs
July 27 Kung Fu Panda
August 3 The Spiderwick Chronicles
August 10 Surprise Mystery Title
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Marcus Movie Theatres
July 13 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
July 20 Hotel for Dogs
July 27 Kung Fu Panda
August 3 The Spiderwick Chronicles
August 10 Surprise Mystery Title
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Marcus Movie Theatres
Kids Rule -- Kids Summer Film Series
20 Grand Cinema (Omaha)
Village Pointe Cinema (Omaha)
Twin Creek Cinema (Bellevue)
Keep it cool with Marcus Theatres this summer! Join us Wednesdays and Thursdays June 23rd through August 12th to view your favorite family flicks for just $2.75 in honor of our 75th Anniversary! Popcorn is included, so grab the family and head to your nearest participating Marcus Theatre location!
Jul 7-8 Tooth Fairy
Jul 14-15 Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jul 21-22 Furry Vengance
Jul 28-29 -TBA
Aug 4-5 TBA
Aug 11-12 TBA
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Westroads Mall
Take part in Rave Motion Pictures' free, family-friendly film festival this summer! Starts Tuesday June 8th! * Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am for 8 weeks * Free Admission! * Family Films - G or PG rated movies only * Groups and Child Care Centers Welcome(Please arrive early to ensure seating) * Seating is on a first come basis and is limited to the capacity of the auditorium * No Reservations Allowed
Jul 7-8 Tooth Fairy
Jul 14-15 Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jul 21-22 Furry Vengance
Jul 28-29 -TBA
Aug 4-5 TBA
Aug 11-12 TBA
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Westroads Mall
Take part in Rave Motion Pictures' free, family-friendly film festival this summer! Starts Tuesday June 8th! * Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am for 8 weeks * Free Admission! * Family Films - G or PG rated movies only * Groups and Child Care Centers Welcome(Please arrive early to ensure seating) * Seating is on a first come basis and is limited to the capacity of the auditorium * No Reservations Allowed
LOCATION: Rave Motion Pictures - Westroads
10 AM
CONTACT: 402-393-9200
Movies Include:
* Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs: 7/6 - 7/7
* Monsters vs. Ailens: 7/13 - 7/14
* Hotel for Dogs: 7/20 - 7/21
* Shorts: 7/27 - 7/28
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Great Escape Theatres
Great Escape Theatres
Free SUMMER KIDS SHOWS 2010
Start at 9:30am
7440 Crown Point Ave. 72nd St. and Sorensen Parkway
July 6-7 Paul Blart: Mall Cop
July 13-14 Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs
July 20-21 Hotel For Dogs
31 Biblical Virtues to Pray For Your Kids
by Bob Hostetler, excerpted from Pray! Magazine issue #4
If you want to pray more for your children, but aren't sure what to pray or how to pray for them, then use this list of virtues as your guide. Next to each virtue is a prayer based upon Scripture that you can pray, with the reference to where in the Bible the prayer was inspires. This makes for a great prayer calendar. Just pick one virtue each day of the month to pray over your child/children.
1. Salvation - "Lord, let salvation spring up from within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10
2. Love - "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them." Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:2
3. Self-control - "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do." 1 Thessalonians 5:6
4. Love for God's Word - "May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb." Psalm 19:10
5. Justice - "God, help my children to love justice and You do and act justly in all they do." Psalm 11:7, Micah 6:8
6. Mercy - "May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful." Luke 6:36
7. Respect (for self, others, authority, etc) - "Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands." 1 Peter 2:17
8. Biblical self-esteem - "Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's worksmanship, creating in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:10
9. Faithfulness - "Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts." Proverbs 3:3
10. Courage - "May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their action." Deuteronomy 31:6
11. Purity - "Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions." Psalm 51:10
12. Kindness - "Lord, may my children always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:15
13. Generosity - "Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age." 1 Timothy 6:18-19
14. Peace-loving - "Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace." Romans 14:19
15. Joy - "May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 1:6
16. Perseverance - "Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them." Hebrews 12:1
17. Humility - "God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all." Titus 3:2
18. Compassion - "Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion." Colossians 3:12
19. Responsibility - "Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:5
20. Contentment - "Father teach my children to the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength." Philippians 4:12-13
21. Faith - "I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." Luke 17:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-40
22. A servant's heart - "God, please help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not men." Ephesians 6:7
23. Hope - "May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
24. Willingness and ability to work - "Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heat, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
25. Passion for God - "Lord, please instill in my children a soul that follows hard after You, one that clings passionately to you." Psalm 63:8
26. Self-discipline - "Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair." Proverbs 1:3
27. Prayerfulness - "Grant, Lord, that my children's lives may be marked by prayerfulness, that they may learn to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:18
28. Gratitude - "Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness and always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 2:7
29. A heart for missions - "Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all people." Psalm 96:3
30. Growth in grace - "I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18
31. Honesty and integrity - "May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection." Psalm 25:21
Road trip to the Lincoln Children's Museum
Christie has organized a playdate road trip to the Lincoln Children's Museum this Friday (July 9th). The group is meeting at McDonald's to car pool. Bring a sack lunch to eat at the museum if wanted.
a $4.50 group rate has been arranged for each admission! Whoo Hoo!
Contact Christie is you plan on going. Have fun everyone!
Monday, July 5, 2010
How much does it cost?
To join Grace United Methodist MOPS, there is an annual fee of $53.95 Membership benefits include:
~Local and International MOPS membership
~Subscription to MomSense magazine
~Weekly Mom-E-Mail
~MOPS logo reusable shopping bag
~MOPS bumper sticker
~MOPS frame magnet
~MOPS bag tag
Please feel free to visit the group before making your decision to join. Visitors are always welcome!
~Local and International MOPS membership
~Subscription to MomSense magazine
~Weekly Mom-E-Mail
~MOPS logo reusable shopping bag
~MOPS bumper sticker
~MOPS frame magnet
~MOPS bag tag
Please feel free to visit the group before making your decision to join. Visitors are always welcome!
Is Childcare provided?
Yes! During MOPS meetings, your children will be cared for in a nurturing environment through our MOPPETS program. We have a wonderful team of MOPPETS caregivers who volunteer their time to provide quality care. In the MOPPETS classrooms, the children play games, sing songs, listen to stories, create arts and crafts projects, and have a healthy snack. MOPPETS is offered for $2 per child or a max of $5 per family for children ages 3 months- 3rd grade.
When & Where does MOPS meet?
Glenwood MOPS meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM at Grace United Methodist Church, located at 112 North Walnut Street in Glenwood, IA.
Regular meetings are held September - May.
Regular meetings are held September - May.
What is MOPS?
MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers and is an international organization that exists to encourage, equip, and help women become the best moms that they can be! Women who are pregnant or have young children (birth through kindergarten) are all invited to join MOPS.
MOPS provides an opportunity to meet other moms and make the journey of motherhood together. We share our experiences, learn from one another, and support each other. MOPS meetings are a wonderful place to build friendships and have fun with other moms. In other words, it's a playdate for moms!
At each of our meetings, moms enjoy a chance to socialize with other moms. We have a short time for announcements, followed by either a speaker or a creative activity, plus a small group discussion that allows you to get to know other moms more closely.
In addition to meetings, we plan special events such as play groups, "Moms Night Out," and family holiday parties. We also participate in community service activities.
Childcare during all meetings is offered through the MOPPETS program. We provide a fun, nurturing environment for your kids to play and learn while you take a well-deserved break!
MOPS provides an opportunity to meet other moms and make the journey of motherhood together. We share our experiences, learn from one another, and support each other. MOPS meetings are a wonderful place to build friendships and have fun with other moms. In other words, it's a playdate for moms!
At each of our meetings, moms enjoy a chance to socialize with other moms. We have a short time for announcements, followed by either a speaker or a creative activity, plus a small group discussion that allows you to get to know other moms more closely.
In addition to meetings, we plan special events such as play groups, "Moms Night Out," and family holiday parties. We also participate in community service activities.
Childcare during all meetings is offered through the MOPPETS program. We provide a fun, nurturing environment for your kids to play and learn while you take a well-deserved break!
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